The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.nnOwing to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to us, we consider that our attention has been somewhat delayed in turning to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially that abominable and unholy sedition, alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury.

Who that had sojourned among you did not know your faith and sobriety, and the moderation of your spirit in Christ? who did not proclaim your magnificent disposition of hospitality? and who did not congratulate you on your perfect and well-grounded knowledge?nnFor ye did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you. Ye enjoined younger men to be of a sober and serious mind; ye directed the women to do all things with a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and ye taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by discretion.

All glory and enlargement was given you, and that which was written was fulfilled, My beloved did eat and drink, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked. Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those that advanced in years.nnFor this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world.

For thus it is written: And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou offerest rightly, but dost not divide rightly, hast thou not sinned? Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.nnYe see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother. It was envy which caused Joseph to be persecuted almost to the point of death, and to be brought into bondage. Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?

But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church have been persecuted and put to death.nnLet us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and thus having given his testimony, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and in the west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and having come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.

To these men who spent their lives in the practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude of the elect, who, having through envy endured many indignities and tortures, furnished us with a most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the Danaids and Dircae, being persecuted, after they had suffered terrible and unspeakable torments, finished the course of their faith with steadfastness, and though weak in body, received a noble reward.nnEnvy has alienated wives from their husbands, and changed the saying of our father Adam, This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. Envy and strife have overthrown great cities, and rooted up mighty nations.

These things, beloved, we write unto you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For we are struggling on the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of us. Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world.

Let us review all the generations, and learn that, in generation after generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens to the covenant of God.nnThe ministers of the grace of God have, by the Holy Spirit, spoken of repentance; and the Lord of all things has himself declared with an oath regarding it, As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death of the sinner, but rather his repentance; adding moreover this gracious declaration, Repent, O house of Israel, of your iniquity.

Let us therefore be obedient to His excellent and glorious will; and, avoiding all arrogance, pride, and foolishness, let us fall down before Him, and entreat Him, in His mercy, to forgive us our faults and transgressions. Yes, and we should be obedient to every one who is our governor; as He has commanded us.nnLet us look at those who have attained to perfect excellence: Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and death was never known to happen to him. Noah, being found faithful, preached regeneration to the world through his ministrations; and the Lord saved by him the animals which, with one accord, entered into the ark.

Abraham, styled the friend of God, was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land which I will show thee.nnBeing separated from his father's house, Abraham went by faith into the unknown land, not knowing whither he went, relying on the might of God. Wherefore he was called the friend of God; and again, God says of him: I will bless thee, and thy seed shall be as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the seashore. And their children shall inherit the gates of their enemies. Through faith and hospitality a son was given to him in old age.

On account of his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodom when all the country round about was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those that hope in Him, but gives up such as depart from Him to punishment and torture.nnFor Lot's wife, who went along with him, being of a different mind from himself and not continuing in agreement with him, was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt unto this day, that it might be known to all men that those who are of a double mind, and who distrust the power of God, bring down judgment on themselves and become a warning to all succeeding generations.

On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua the son of Nun to Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they had come to spy out their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken, they might be put to death.nnBut the hospitable Rahab receiving them, concealed them on the roof of her house under some stalks of flax. And when the men sent by the king arrived and said, The men that came to thee, who are to spy out our land, bring them forth, for the king so commands, she answered them, The two men whom ye seek are not here, but are departed. And she said to the spies, of a truth I know that the Lord your God hath delivered this city into your hands. When therefore they had departed, she bound the scarlet thread to the window.

Let us therefore, brethren, be humble-minded, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written, for the Holy Ghost saith, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness.nnAbove all, let us remember the words of the Lord Jesus, which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you; as ye give, so shall it be given unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be showed to you: with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you.

Therefore it is right and holy, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good.nnLet us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written: The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the innocent shall be left upon it; but transgressors shall be destroyed from off it.

Let us therefore cleave to those who are devoted to peace, given to piety, and not to those who in hypocrisy wish for peace. For he saith in a certain place: This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And again: They bless with their mouth, but they curse with their heart.nnAnd again it is said, They loved Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with their tongue; their heart was not right with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant. Let the deceitful lips become silent, and let the Lord destroy all the lying lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: those who have said, Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are our own, who is lord over us? Because of the misery of the needy, and the groaning of the poor, I will now arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety, and deal confidently with him.

For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not of those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding Him.nnFor He says: Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have declared our message in His presence: He was, as it were, a child, and as a root in a thirsty ground; He has no form nor glory, yea, we saw Him, and He had no form nor comeliness; but His form was without eminence, yea, deficient in comparison with the form of men. He is a man exposed to stripes and suffering, and acquainted with the endurance of grief: for His countenance was turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed. He bears our sins, and is pained for us; yet we supposed that He Himself was exposed to toil and stripes and affliction. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we were healed.

Let us also be imitators of those who in goat-skins and sheep-skins went about proclaiming the coming of Christ; I mean Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel among the prophets, with those others to whom a like testimony is borne. Abraham was specially honoured, and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly regarding the glory of God, humbly said, I am but dust and ashes.nnMoreover, it is thus written of Job: And Job was righteous and blameless, one that was true, honourable toward God, and avoided all evil. But bringing an accusation against himself, he said, No man is free from impurity, even if his life be but of one day. Moses was called faithful in all God's house, and through his ministrations God punished Egypt with plagues and tortures. Yet he, though thus greatly honoured, did not lift up himself, but said, when the divine oracle spake to him out of the bush, Who am I, that Thou sendest me? I am a man of a feeble voice and slow tongue.

But what shall we say of David, to whom such testimony was borne, and of whom God said, I have found a man after mine own heart, David the son of Jesse, and in everlasting mercy have I anointed him? Yet he also says to God, Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgressions. Wash me still more from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.nnAgainst Thee only have I sinned, and done that which was evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the secret and hidden things of Thy wisdom hast Thou manifested to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

The humility and godly submission of so great and blessed men have rendered not only us, but also all the generations before us, better; even as many as have received His oracles in fear and truth.nnPartakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten on to the goal of peace handed down to us from the beginning. Let us look steadfastly to the Father and Creator of the universe, and cleave to His mighty and surpassingly great gifts and benefactions of peace. Let us contemplate Him with our understanding, and look with the eyes of our soul to His long-suffering will. Let us reflect how free from wrath He is towards all His creation.

The heavens, revolving under His government, are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed by Him, in no wise hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the companies of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command, within their prescribed limits, and without any deviation. The fruitful earth, according to His will, brings forth food in abundance, at the proper seasons, for man and beast and all the living beings upon it, never hesitating, nor changing any of the ordinances which He has fixed.nnThe unsearchable places of abysses, and the indescribable arrangements of the lower world, are restrained by the same laws. The season of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, peacefully give place to one another. The winds in their several quarters fulfil, at the proper time, their service without hindrance. The ever-flowing fountains, formed both for enjoyment and health, furnish without fail their breasts for the life of men. The very smallest of living beings meet together in peace and concord.

Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there will be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead.nnLet us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, and the day arises; the day departs, and the night comes on. Let us behold the fruits of the earth, how the sowing of grain takes place. The sower goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth fruit.

Let us consider that wonderful sign of the resurrection which is seen in the Eastern countries, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies.nnBut as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which the bones of its parent lie, and bearing these, it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode.

Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord is continually revealing to us the resurrection that is to be. Of this He has constituted the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits, by raising Him from the dead. Let us look, beloved, at the resurrection which is taking place at every season.nnFar be it from us, therefore, that such doubt should be found in us. Let us note what the Holy Scriptures teach on this matter. The Scripture says, And it shall not tarry: He will come and will not tarry, and the Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look. Let us reflect, beloved, how the Lord is continually proving to us that there will be a future resurrection.

How blessed and marvellous, beloved, are the gifts of God! Life in immortality, splendour in righteousness, truth in perfect confidence, faith in assurance, self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognisance of our understandings now; what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those that wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts.nnBut how, beloved, shall this be done? If our understanding be fixed by faith towards God; if we earnestly seek the things which are pleasing and acceptable to Him; if we do the things which are in harmony with His blameless will; and if we follow the way of truth, casting away from us all unrighteousness and iniquity, along with all covetousness, strife, evil practices, deceit, whispering, and evil-speaking, all hatred of God, pride, haughtiness, vainglory, and ambition.

For those who do such things are hateful to God; and not only those who do them, but also those who take pleasure in them that do them. For the Scripture saith, But to the sinner God said, Wherefore dost thou declare my statutes, and take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee? When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.nnLet us then flee from those who are disobedient, that we may not become partakers in their sins. For it is said, He that is joined to a transgressor shall receive his punishment. Let us therefore hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perfect our calling, that so we may cleave to those who set their hope on the holy name of the Lord our God.

For where has He called us, and from what calling, but from darkness to light, and from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His name? And from where did we receive the hope of our salvation, but from Him? What master is there more glorious than He, or how has any one lifted us up out of such slavery?nnAnd so let us praise God for the great knowledge He has shown to us in His mercy; and let us trust that He will judge all things with righteous judgment in the future. For it says, God shall judge the righteous and the unrighteous, and at the time of their judgment there shall be no respect of persons with Him.

The good servant, therefore, receives the bread of his master with confidence, but the slothful and careless man cannot look his employer in the face.nnWe must therefore act with all energy and in conformity with His holy will, following His good, acceptable, and perfect will, working the works of righteousness with strength, as all who put their faith in the good God.nnFor He himself says: Be strong, all ye that hope in the Lord, and let your heart be strong. All ye that wait upon the Lord, hope in His mercy. Who is God save our Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? This God who hath girt me with strength, and made my way blameless.

For consider, dearly beloved, how our Lord Jesus Christ continually shows us His clemency with what generosity He is bestowing His gifts on us. And He says: Ye shall receive, and it shall be given unto you; for every one that asketh, receiveth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.nnSince, therefore, all things are seen and heard by God, let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires, so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand? For the Scripture saith in a certain place: Whither shall I go, and where shall I be hid from Thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, Thou art there; if I go away even to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is Thy right hand; if I make my bed in the abyss, there is Thy Spirit.

Let us then draw near to Him with holiness of spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands unto Him, loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His elect. For thus it is written: When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to the number of His angels. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of His inheritance.nnAnd in another place the Scripture saith: Behold, the Lord taketh unto Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Most Holy.

Since, therefore, we are the special portion of a Holy God, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride.nnFor God, saith the Scripture, resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For He saith: He that speaketh much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready at talk think to be righteous? Blessed is every one born of woman who liveth but a short time. Be not a great speaker. Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves.

Wherefore, let him that hath love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the blessed bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love beareth all things, is long-suffering in all things. There is nothing base, nothing arrogant in love. Love admits of no schisms: love gives rise to no seditions: love does all things in harmony. By love have all the elect of God been made perfect; without love nothing is well-pleasing to God.nnIn love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the love He bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls.

We, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.nnWhat shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works.

For by His supremely great and incomprehensible might He established the heavens, and by His intelligence He arranged them. By His providence He separated the earth from the water which surrounded it, and fixed it upon the immovable foundation of His own will. The animals also which are upon it He commanded by His own word into existence.nnSo too, having formed man with His own hands, the most excellent of His creatures, and greatest in understanding — God formed him after the image of His own likeness. For thus says God: Let us make man in our image, and after our likeness. So God made man; male and female He created them. Having thus finished all these things, He approved them, and blessed them, and said, Increase and multiply.

The good servant receives the bread of his master with confidence, but the slothful and careless one cannot look his employer in the face. It is requisite, therefore, that we should be zealous in the pursuit of good, for of Him are all things.nnAnd He forewarns us: Behold, the Lord cometh, and His reward is with Him, even before His face, to render to every man according to his work. He exhorts us, therefore, with our whole heart to attend to this, that we be not lazy or slothful in any good work. Let our boasting and our confidence be in Him. Let us submit ourselves to His will. Let us consider the whole multitude of His angels, how they stand ever ready to minister to His will.

How shall we attain them? Let us fix our minds on the whole multitude of His angels, how they stand ready and minister to His will, as Scripture says: Ten thousand times ten thousand stood around Him, and thousands of thousands ministered unto Him; and they cried aloud, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Sabaoth; all creation is full of His glory.nnAnd let us also, being gathered together in concord with intentness of heart, cry to Him continually as out of one mouth, that we may be made partakers of His great and glorious promises. For He saith: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which He hath prepared for them that wait for Him.

This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our weakness. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold, as in a glass, His immaculate and most excellent visage. By Him are the eyes of our hearts opened. By Him our foolish and darkened understanding blossoms up anew towards His marvellous light. By Him the Lord has willed that we should taste of immortal knowledge, who, being the brightness of His majesty, is by so much greater than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Let us then, men and brethren, with all energy act the part of soldiers, in accordance with His holy commandments. Let us consider those who serve under our generals, with what order, obedience, and submissiveness they perform the things which are commanded them.nnAll are not prefects, nor commanders of a thousand, nor of a hundred, nor of fifty, nor the like, but each one in his own rank performs the things commanded by the king and the generals. The great cannot subsist without the small, nor the small without the great; there is a kind of mixture in all things, and thence arises mutual advantage.

Let our whole body, then, be preserved in Christ Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbour, according to the special gift bestowed upon him. Let the strong not despise the weak, and let the weak show respect unto the strong. Let the rich man provide for the wants of the poor; and let the poor man bless God, because He hath given him one by whom his need may be supplied.nnLet the wise man display his wisdom, not by mere words, but through good deeds. Let the humble not bear testimony to himself, but leave witness to be borne to him by another. Let him that is pure in the flesh not grow proud of it, and boast, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence.

Senseless, unreasonable, and silly persons deride and mock us; but we are not ignorant of their purpose. Only, let us cleave to this which is found in many places of Scripture: Thus saith the Lord: I will save the humble and will lift up the meek, but I will judge the haughty.nnFor what sayeth the holy word? If one, a strong man, is wise, let him not vaunt himself in his wisdom; if one possesses all strength, let him not vaunt himself in his strength; if one is rich, let him not vaunt himself in his riches: but let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord, to seek and do justice and righteousness. These are the commandments of the great God, before whom the proud are brought down and the humble are lifted up.

These things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths of the divine knowledge, it behoves us to do all things in order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times and hours. He has commanded offerings and services to be performed, and not carelessly or in disorder, but at appointed times and hours. Where and by whom He desires these things to be done, He Himself has fixed by His own supreme will, in order that all things, being done with piety according to His good pleasure, may be acceptable unto Him. Those, therefore, who present their offerings at the appointed times are accepted and blessed; for inasmuch as they follow the laws of the Lord, they do not sin. For his own peculiar services are assigned to the high priest, and their own proper place is prescribed to the priests, and their own special ministrations devolve on the Levites. The layman is bound by the laws that pertain to laymen.

Let every one of you, brethren, give thanks to God in his own order, living in all good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of the ministry prescribed to him. Not in every place, brethren, are the daily sacrifices offered, or the peace-offerings, or the sin-offerings and the trespass-offerings, but in Jerusalem only. And even there they are not offered in any place, but only at the altar before the temple, that which is offered being first carefully examined by the high priest and the ministers already mentioned. Those, therefore, who do anything beyond that which is agreeable to His will, are punished with death. Ye see, brethren, that the greater the knowledge that has been vouchsafed to us, the greater also is the danger to which we are exposed.

The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ has done so from God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand.nnAnd thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits of their labours, having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place, I will appoint their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.

And what wonder is it if those in Christ who were entrusted with this duty by God, appointed those already mentioned, when the blessed Moses also, a faithful servant in all his house, noted down in the Sacred Scriptures all the injunctions which were given him, and when envy arose concerning the priesthood, and the tribes were striving among themselves as to which of them should be adorned with that glorious title, he commanded the twelve princes of the tribes to bring him their rods, each one being inscribed with the name of the tribe.nnAnd he took them, and bound them together, and sealed them with the rings of the princes of the tribes, and laid them up in the tabernacle of witness on the table of God. And, having shut the tabernacle, he sealed the keys, as he had also done the rods, and said to them, Men and brethren, the tribe whose rod shall blossom has God chosen to fulfil the office of the priesthood, and to minister unto Him. And when the morning was come, he assembled all Israel, six hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the princes of the tribes, and opened the tabernacle of witness, and brought forth the rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but to bear fruit.

Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ, in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties.nnBlessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure from this world; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that ye have removed some men of excellent behaviour from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour.

Ye are contentious, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. There you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who were themselves holy and righteous. The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by the wicked. They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy. They were stoned, but only by transgressors. They were slain, but only by the accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them.nnEnduring these things, they obtained glory. For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel cast into the den of lions by such as feared God? Were Ananias, Azarias, and Misael shut up in a furnace of fire by those who observed the great and glorious worship of the Most High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such things? The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose, not knowing that the Most High is the defender and protector of such as with a pure conscience venerate His all-excellent name.

Why do we divide and tear in pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that we are members one of another? Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, Woe to that man by whom offences come! for it were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should cast a stumbling block before one of my elect.nnYour schism has led many astray, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And yet your sedition still continues. Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the beginning of his ministry? Of a truth, he by the Spirit admonished you respecting himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because even then ye had made yourselves partakers of divisions. But that division implied less guilt, for ye were then partisans of apostles of high reputation, and of a man approved by them. But now reflect who those are that have perverted you, and lessened the renown of your far-famed brotherly love.

It is shameful, beloved, yea, highly shameful, and unworthy of your training in Christ, that on account of one or two persons the steadfast and ancient Church of the Corinthians should be at variance with the presbyters. And this rumour has reached not only us, but those also who are unconnected with us; so that, through your infatuation, the name of the Lord is blasphemed, while danger is also brought upon yourselves.nnLet us therefore, with all haste, put an end to this state of things; and let us fall down before the Lord, and beseech Him with tears to have mercy upon us, and to reconcile us to Himself, and grant us a return to seemly and chaste conduct in the way of brotherly love. For such conduct opens the gates of righteousness unto us.

This is the gate of righteousness, which is opened in Christ, whereby all who enter in are blessed and their way is made plain. Let us open our hearts to God without any doubts, as unto those who call upon us in righteousness. Let us not give way to sloth or listlessness in any good work.nnLet him who is wise also be humble, and not vaunt himself in his wisdom. Let him who is distinguished for virtue not reckon this more than is right, but rather abide in humility of spirit. Let him who is pure in the flesh not be puffed up about it, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence. Let us reflect, therefore, brethren, of what matter we were made, — who and what manner of beings we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from utter darkness.

Let him who hath love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the blessed bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love beareth all things, is long-suffering in all things. There is nothing base, nothing arrogant in love. Love admits of no schisms: love gives rise to no seditions: love does all things in harmony.nnBy love have all the elect of God been made perfect; without love nothing is well-pleasing to God. In love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the love He bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls.

How blessed and marvellous, beloved, are the gifts of God! Life in immortality, splendour in righteousness, truth in perfect confidence, faith in assurance, self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognizance of our understandings now; what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him?nnAll the generations from Adam even unto this day have passed away; but those who, through the grace of God, have been made perfect in love, now possess a place among the godly, and shall be made manifest at the revelation of the kingdom of Christ. For it is written, Enter into thy secret chambers for a little time, until my anger and fury pass away; and I will remember a good day, and will raise you up out of your graves.

Let us therefore pray for those who have fallen into any sin, that meekness and humility may be given to them, so that they may submit, not unto us, but to the will of God. For in this way they shall secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God, and our mention of them to the saints.nnLet us receive correction, beloved, on account of which no one should feel displeased. Those exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good in themselves and highly profitable, for they tend to unite us to the will of God. For thus saith the holy word: The Lord hath severely chastened me, yet hath not given me over to death.

Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing is love, and that there is no declaring its perfection. Who is fit to be found in it, except such as God has vouchsafed to render meet? Let us pray, therefore, and implore of His mercy, that we may live blameless in love, free from all human partialities for one above another.nnFor the Lord needs nothing from us; He requires nothing of us, save only that we should confess to Him. For the holy David saith: I will confess unto the Lord, and it shall please Him more than a young bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Let the poor see this and be glad. And he saith again: Offer unto God the sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon Me in the day of thy trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

For ye know, and know well, the Sacred Scriptures, beloved, and ye have looked closely into the oracles of God. Call then to remembrance what was said to our teacher Moses, when faithful in all his house, God said of them that thought to go against him: But now, if thou wilt forgive their sin — and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.nnWhat a surpassing love do we here observe! Moses begged that he himself might be blotted out, along with those who had sinned, if God would not forgive the people. Who would not be moved by such a spectacle of love? But God replied: Him that hath sinned against Me will I blot out of My book. Here we are taught, that the mediator is not able to confer pardon upon those who have sinned against God on account of another's love, but only on account of their own repentance and amendment.

Who then among you is noble, who is compassionate, who is filled with love? Let him declare: If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever ye desire, and I will do whatever the majority orders; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.nnHe that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him. For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. These things they who live as citizens of God's kingdom, and not as a civil state, have ever done and ever will do.

But, to bring forward examples of Gentiles also: Many kings and princes, in times of pestilence, when they had been instructed by an oracle, have given themselves up to death, in order that, by their own blood, they might deliver their fellow-citizens from destruction. Many have gone forth from their own cities, that so sedition might be brought to an end within them.nnWe know many among ourselves who have given themselves up to bonds, in order that they might ransom others. Many, too, have surrendered themselves to slavery, that with the price which they received for themselves, they might provide food for others. Many women also, being strengthened by the grace of God, have performed numerous manly exploits. The blessed Judith, when her city was besieged, asked of the elders permission to go forth into the camp of the strangers; and, exposing herself to danger, she went out for the love of her country and of her people then under siege, and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a woman.

Let us also intercede for those who have fallen into any transgression, that meekness and humility may be given to them, so that they may submit themselves not unto us but to the will of God. Let us intercede even for our enemies.nnFor consider him that was cast out and condemned by an unjust judgment and rose again: and the father who received back his prodigal son — and the shepherd who carried back the lost sheep on his shoulders: such is the Lord of infinite mercy. And the good shepherd left behind ninety and nine to seek one that had gone astray, and when he found it he rejoiced over it more than over the ninety and nine.

Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that ye should occupy a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, ye should be cast out from the hope of His people.nnFor thus speaketh all-virtuous Wisdom: Behold, I will bring forth to you the words of my Spirit, and I will teach you my speech. Since I called, and ye did not hear; I held forth words, and ye regarded not, but set at nought my counsels, and yielded not to my reproofs. Therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice when ruin cometh upon you, and when sudden confusion overtaketh you, when calamity and ruin cometh upon you.

But to those who obey, be peace: but to those who refuse, let there be affliction and strife in proportion to the disobedience, since they have refused to obey God.nnFor it is better to be found small, and of the number of those who obey Thee, than to seem to be above others, and to be found among those who blaspheme Thee. We therefore ask of Thee, who art able to confer benefits on us and on all, Lord of all, to grant us all that Thou seest is of advantage to us, through Jesus Christ the High Priest and Guardian of our souls; through whom be glory and majesty to Thee both now and throughout all generations, for evermore. Amen.

But if certain persons should be disobedient unto the words which have been spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger; but we shall be innocent of this sin, and, instant in prayer and supplication, shall desire that the Creator of all things may keep unharmed the number of the elect found in all the world through His beloved Child Jesus Christ, through whom He called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His name.

Grant unto us, Lord, that we may set our hope on Thy name, which is the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know Thee, who alone abidest Highest in the lofty, Holy in the holy; who layest low the insolence of the proud, who scatterest the imaginings of nations; who settest the lowly on high, and bringest the lofty low; who makest rich and makest poor; who killest and makest alive; who alone art the Finder of spirits and the God of all flesh; who lookest into the abysses, who scanest the works of man; the Helper of those who are in peril, the Saviour of those who are in despair; the Creator and Overseer of every spirit; who multipliest the nations upon earth, and hast chosen out from all men those that love Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Child, through whom Thou hast instructed us, sanctified us, honoured us.nnWe beseech Thee, Master, to be our helper and protector. Save those among us who are in tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift up the fallen; show Thyself unto the needy; heal the ungodly; convert the wanderers of Thy people; feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.

Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, stability, so that they may administer the government Thou hast given them without failure. For Thou, O heavenly Master, King of the ages, givest to the sons of men glory and honour and power over the things which are on the earth. Do Thou, Lord, direct their counsel according to what is good and pleasing in Thy sight, so that, administering in peace and gentleness with godliness the power which Thou hast given them, they may obtain Thy favour.nnO Thou, who alone art able to do these things, and things far more exceeding good than these for us, we praise Thee through the High Priest and Guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the glory and the majesty to Thee both now and throughout all generations, and for ever and ever. Amen.

We have written to you, brethren, sufficiently touching the things which befit our worship, and are most helpful for a virtuous life to such as would guide their steps in holiness and righteousness. For we have touched on every subject — faith, repentance, genuine love, self-control, sobriety, and patience — and have reminded you that you must please Almighty God in righteousness and truth and long-suffering, being of one mind, without grudging, in love and peace and true earnestness, as our fathers, whose example we have cited, won His favour by their humility towards God the Father and Creator, and towards all men.nnAnd we have reminded you of these things the more gladly, since we knew well that we were writing to men who are faithful and of good repute, and have studied the oracles of the teaching of God.

It will afford us joy and gladness if, being obedient to the things which we have written through the Holy Spirit, ye will root out the wicked passion of jealousy, according to the intercession which we have made for peace and unity in this Epistle.nnWe have sent also faithful and prudent men who have lived among us without blame from youth to old age, and they will be witnesses between you and us. And this we have done that ye might know that we have had, and still have, every concern for your being speedily at peace.

Now may God, the inspector of all things, and the Father of spirits, and the Lord of all flesh, who chose out our Lord Jesus Christ, and us through Him for a peculiar people, grant to every soul that has His great and glorious name invoked upon them, faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His name, through our High Priest and Guardian, Jesus Christ, through whom to Him be glory, honour, power, and greatness, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.

Send back speedily to us in peace and with joy these our messengers to you: Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, with Fortunatus also; and they will tell us of your peace and harmony, and we shall the more speedily rejoice over the good order re-established among you.nnThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all everywhere who are the called of God through Him, by whom be to Him glory, honour, power, majesty, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.